New York Islanders vs New Jersey Prediction 3 October 2026
🔊 The Islanders wrapped up their first road trip of the season with a loss to Toronto and are now set for their home opener at UBS Arena. New Jersey, meanwhile, kicked off their campaign with a win, edging out Philadelphia in overtime. These teams know each other well, having already faced off twice in preseason action this September-both matchups went the Devils’ way. However, it was a different story in last year’s regular season, when the Islanders had the upper hand.
Islanders’ season, Devils’ preseason
📊 Last season, the Islanders swept all four head-to-head clashes, including a resounding 9-0 rout over New Jersey. The other three encounters were less prolific, with the average goal tally for the season series standing at five per game. Ahead of the new campaign, the teams faced off twice more, and this time it was the Devils who came out on top.
Head-to-head statistics New York Islanders - New Jersey
A late goal wasn’t enough to save them
The Islanders opened their season in Toronto and found themselves trailing by two goals after the first period. The game remained goalless for a long stretch, and they only managed to claw their way back with 5:51 left on the clock. Emil Heineman scored shorthanded off a feed from Bo Horvat, but the team ran out of time to find an equalizer. Ilya Sorokin turned aside 24 of 26 shots, while at even strength, the Islanders allowed their opponents to generate eight high-danger scoring chances.
Offensively, things proved more challenging. Through the first 40 minutes, the team registered just 12 shots on goal, and all four power play opportunities went unconverted, producing only two shots on target. In the third period, Pete DeBoer shuffled his lines, which led to more chances. Anthony Duclair finished the night with four shots and earned a spot alongside Cal Ritchie and Matias Maccelli. Another key stat from the opener: the Islanders won just 40% of their faceoffs.
Match Results: New York Islanders
44 shots and an overtime victory
New Jersey had to come from behind twice in their opener against Philadelphia. Dougie Hamilton leveled the score in the second period, and Luke Hughes tied it up again in the third, setting the stage for a dramatic finish in overtime. Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt broke away on a two-on-one, exchanged passes, and Hughes buried the game-winner. That overtime goal marked the tenth of his career.
The Devils dominated offensively, outshooting the Flyers 44-25 and holding a commanding 95-41 edge in total shot attempts. However, they failed to capitalize on four power-play opportunities, which kept them from sealing the win in regulation. Jake Allen turned aside 23 of 25 shots. Now, New Jersey are set for their first road game of the season at the same venue where they defeated the Islanders 4-1 just a week ago in their preseason finale.
Match Results: New Jersey Devils
Prediction for the 1st period
The Islanders have avoided defeat in the first period in seven of their last eight home games against New Jersey in the NHL. This trend suggests backing the hosts again in the opening twenty minutes - Islanders with a 0 handicap in the first period.
Match Outcome Prediction
The Islanders have avoided defeat in regulation against New Jersey in each of their last eight head-to-head meetings. Despite the Devils picking up two wins in September, the official trend still favors the hosts-The Islanders are tipped to avoid a regulation loss (1X).
⭐️ Editor’s Prediction
Both teams opened their campaigns with low-scoring affairs. The Islanders’ clash with Toronto saw just three goals, with New York failing to convert on any of their four power-play opportunities. New Jersey generated far more offense against Philadelphia, firing 44 shots on goal, but regulation still ended 2-2. The Devils also went 0-for-4 on the power play.
The head-to-head stats back up the trend. Eight of the last nine meetings between these sides have finished under 6.5 goals. Last season, their four encounters averaged five goals per game, and both teams started this new campaign below that same mark. There’s little reason to expect a shootout here. My pick: under 6.5 total goals.
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Betting Tips: New York Islanders - New Jersey Devils
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